The bishops have denounced Maduro's plans for a new constitution as illegitimate and illegal

Venezuela's bishops said the country's government aims to install a "military dictatorship, socialist, Marxist and communist."

The church and Venezuelan authorities have long had a tense relationship, but the comments by Archbishop Diego Padron Sanchez, president of the bishops' conference, refer to a process unilaterally initiated on 1 May by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to draft a new constitution for the country. To create that document, Venezuelans will elect hundreds of representatives to a constituent assembly on 30 July.

Maduro said the initiative aims to bring peace to the country, rocked by more than 100 days of anti-government protests in which over 80 have died.

But the country's political opposition and the bishops have denounced the plan as illegitimate and illegal. They believe the assembly's structure would over-represent pro-government sectors, guaranteeing a body favorable to a government that polls show has the support of less than a quarter of the population.

"A constituent assembly without consultation from the people first will bring negative consequences for the country because the government excludes many sectors to impose a constitutional communal state," said Archbishop Padron.

Offering a prepared statement at the end of the first day of the bishops' plenary assembly on 7 July, Archbishop Padron also commented on a 5 July siege of the country's opposition-controlled parliament which left five lawmakers with injuries. Dozens of pro-government activists stormed into the parliament building past complacent security officials. Fights ensued when the groups approached opposition lawmakers. Videos show the activists, some with ski masks, using poles and rocks to beat the lawmakers.

"This was a criminal act, maddening, and a sign that the government doesn't have the will to do away with violence and death and that it doesn't value the parliament as a sovereign expression of the people," Archbishop Padron said.

Maduro condemned the violence and denied that it had been encouraged by top officials.

While the ongoing protests were sparked on 1 April after a Supreme Court decision to strip the opposition-controlled parliament of its powers, the anti-government sentiment also has been fuelled by the country's spiralling economic crisis.

Venezuelans have endured three years of a deep economic recession that has brought with it shortages of basic food and medicine on store shelves. A recent study found that at least three-quarters of the population lost an average of 19 pounds last year. Caritas Venezuela has found that child malnutrition is approaching crisis levels in low-income areas.

Archbishop Padron said Caritas Venezuela has initiated a humanitarian channel to address the shortages, but that it has encountered "obstacles at every corner" from government officials.

"The people want freedom, bread, medicines, security and elections," the archbishop said.

At Mass on 9 July at Caracas' Basilica of St. Teresa, Father Jose Rosendo Diaz avoided directly addressing politics or the declarations from the bishops. Located only steps from government buildings, the church has become a focal point for conflicts between the government and church. Fistfights between opposition and pro-government sympathisers have previously erupted at the church after Masses. Authorities frequently accuse priests of including anti-government rhetoric in their sermons.

Father Rosendo Diaz said people ask him, "In this situation we're living in, where could God be?"

"God is closer than ever, they just don't have faith," he said.

Many parishioners, asked about the recent declarations by the bishops labeling the government as a dictatorship, called for peace and a de-escalation of the conflict.

"What I want for my country is peace," said 79-year-old Carmen Rodriguez. "I don't agree that this is a dictatorship, but the truth is that things here are bad. I can't find medicines."

"The church has the gift of calling people to be peaceful, not hateful, and not calling for meddling in Venezuela," said Ligia Araca. "There are people high up in the church that sometimes give a spark so that people get violent."

The moderated views of the faithful in downtown Caracas, a traditional government stronghold, could be worrying for the government. Officials will need these voters to attend the 30 July constituent assembly election to give the process legitimacy.

The opposition has called for its supporters to boycott the election, and if voters like Rodriguez are more concerned about finding medicine than engaging in politics, they may stay home.

"I haven't decided if I'll participate," she said. "We'll see."

PICTURE: Opposition supporters hold letters to build a banner that reads "100 days" - referring to 100 days of protests - during a 9 July 9 protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas